Shopping is one of those activities that roughly half the
population loves, and does partly for the sheer fun of browsing or bargain hunting.
The other half won’t step foot in a store until they’re down to the last smear
of peanut butter in the jar or are desperate for socks that don’t have built-in
ventilation. Whether you love it, hate it, or have an it’s-complicated relationship
with shopping, here’s some great news: Hudson, New York, just an hour from
Pittsfield, is fast becoming a shopper’s paradise, where you can pick up just
about everything you need in a single day.

Within a span of about a mile, Hudson boasts dozens of independent home decor boutiques and stores for everything from bedsheets to hand-thrown ceramic bowls and bars of pressed Spanish figs. Sure, there are some larger chain stores, too, but why bother, when there’s such a wealth of small businesses to choose from? So gas up the car and get yourself caffeinated, and join us for the first in our series on shopping in Hudson.

We’re kicking it off with a look at where to shop for
furniture. Note: There are so many
antiques stores in Hudson that doing all of them justice would require a
separate article by someone with far more expertise on the topic. Just a
handful have been included here, and have been chosen for their variety and
accessibility.

Furniture Shopping in
Hudson

Finch555 Warren StreetWith its sleek storefront and “Life, curated” tagline, Finch might seem stark and galleryesque. But inside this warm, welcoming shop are vintage and modern pieces chosen for their timeless style and functionality. Finch also sells a variety of soft goods and décor.

Finch, on Warren Street in Hudson, New York; photo by Robin Catalano.

Riverfront Antiques and Design Center99 South 3rd StreetYou’ll want to mentally prepare yourself for stimulation overload in this venue, which contains nearly 30 furniture, antiques, art, and decor sellers all in one massive warehouse complex.

The Hudson Mercantile,202 Allen StreetTen thousand square feet of furniture and décor, much of it antiques, from a handful of different shopkeepers with chic taste.

Fern Handcrafted Furniture243 Warren StreetLove handmade and hand-upholstered wood furniture? The pieces at Fern are an investment, but the quality and one-of-a-kind aesthetic are well worth it.

Neven & Neven Moderne618 Warren StreetFrom the Crayola-colored sign over the doors, you might expect Moderne to be a spunky, pop-art ode to the ’60s. But this large shop, a Hudson mainstay since 1987, with a cult following of both domestic and international customers, boasts an envy-inspiring collection of midcentury furniture. If the pieces looks pristine, that’s because many of them have been beautifully hand-restored by the owners.

Foley & Cox Home317 Warren StreetIf you like your home stores open, airy, and meticulously merchandised, Foley & Cox is a must. A great mix of antique, vintage, and modern, with a nod toward pieces that are as functional as they are beautiful.

3FortySeven347 Warren StreetAntique furniture, as well as lighting, tribal carpets and textiles, ceramics, and glass.

Fig & Bella443 Warren StreetThe kind of shop you just want to linger in, Fig & Bella is a required stop for any shopper in Hudson. Their soft goods—including throw pillows, blankets, and scarves—are hand-dyed in the owners’ nearby studio. Fig & Bella also has a carefully edited selection of rustic-modern furniture, including benches, dining tables, and coffee and accent tables.

Hudson Home366 Warren StreetThis light-filled, expansive shop and showroom is owned by designer Richard Bodin, who sources much of his furniture, linens, tableware, accessories, and art objects from his international travels. He also stocks items from high-end manufacturers like Matouk, Stark, and Simon Pearce. Love what you see? Bodin and his team are available to create interior designs for your home.

Gilded Owl318 Warren StreetAn eclectic collection of antiques meant to help customers integrate different styles into their interior design. The owners also boast the second-largest collection of Chiavari chairs in the world.

White Rice531 Warren StreetThis bit-of-everything boutique bills itself as a lifestyle store. While the clothing and gifts are definitely worth exploring, the imported Indonesian furniture and housewares are the standouts.

Second Show Community Thrift Shop519 Warren StreetFor those who prefer to reuse and recycle—and not spend two months’ worth of paychecks—this secondhand store has some great bargains.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore829 Route 66The only shop on our list that’s outside of downtown, Hudson’s ReStore is worth the detour. This enormous warehouse has a constantly changing collection of furniture, from futons and sofas to lowboys, lamps, bathroom vanities, kitchen cabinets, and bars. Some items have seen more love, and are priced accordingly. But for a little more cash, you’ll have your pick of dozens of pieces in good to excellent condition, plus unusual finds, like a Vintage Windsor Gas Range from Montgomery Ward.

Robin Catalano believes in the power of storytelling to connect communities and cultures. She’s applied her creative approach to writing for magazines, books, blogs, websites, and a wide variety of marketing projects, and has published more than 75 articles and 1,000+ blog posts. As an editor, she has worked on more than 350 books for publishers including Penguin Random House, Workman, and Simon & Schuster. She has also served as a book coach for independent authors, helping them take their ideas from concept to print. An avid traveler and travel writer, Robin lives, reads, and writes voraciously in upstate NY.

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